MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY
JOSHUA: THE POWER OF GOD’S PROMISES
“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:” Joshua 1:7
WEEK I
GOD’S CALL & MY INSECURITY (Ch. 1)
CALLED TO SERVICE
All spiritual gifts are equally “the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines” ( 1 Cor 12:11 ). The exercise of whatever gifts we possess is a “call” from God. (I Corinthians 1:26) God has chosen to carry out His work in the world through those who are saved. He has determined the tasks He wants each of us to do; our job is to serve Him by accomplishing what He has planned for us.
Before God called Joshua to lead His people, Joshua served (ministered) under Moses. Joshua was one of the twelve spies Moses chose to check out and bring back a report of the Land of Canaan. He had seen first-hand what the inhabitants were like. Despite the negative report of the other ten spies Joshua, along with Caleb, declared that if the Lord brought them into the land, then He would give it to them (Numbers 13, 14).
Now, standing at the brink of the Jordan River, about to cross over into the Promised Land as the leader of God’s people, Joshua felt unqualified to lead God’s people. Even though he reported that God would give them the land; even thou he had experienced God’s power first-hand, he now had to be encouraged three times (v. 6, 7, 9) to be strong and courageous.
Serving God is not always an easy, smooth-sailing task. Sometimes we are called to do things that may seem beyond what we are (or what “feel” we are) qualified to do. These times can seem overwhelming and sometimes cause us to question if it is God who is calling us.
OVERCOMING INSECURITY
INSECURITY DEFINED: uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence
One of Satan’s tactics is distraction. He often uses our insecurities as a way to distract us from what God has called us to do. When we compare ourselves (gifts, talents, abilities) to others we reflect the thoughts of the ten spies who only saw strong people and great walls in the land of promise instead of the milk and honey, or God’s promise (Numbers 13:28).
1) Recall your historic firsts. What are the funniest things that happened? The most amazing? The most
difficult?
Some people live to do things just for the thrill of it; to get an adrenaline rush.
According to an article reviewed by Psychology Today: SENSATION-SEEKING, Sensation-seeking, also called thrill-seeking or excitement-seeking, is the tendency to pursue new and different sensations, feelings, and experiences.
Thrill-seekers aren’t motivated by danger. They’re driven to conquer new challenges and soak up every experience life has to offer—and they simply don’t let danger dissuade them.
The high thrill and minimal stress may drive sensation-seekers to repeatedly seek out new, exciting experiences.
Thrill-seekers provide valuable lessons,
-the motivation to cultivate memorable experiences
-expand one’s sense of self
-develop confidence and resilience from conquering challenges
-more likely to take on leadership roles or respond in a crisis
Despite the hazards of certain behaviors, risk-taking has value and serves an important evolutionary purpose. Without the courage to advance into unknown, potentially dangerous territory, human beings may not have found new mates, populated the globe, or flourished as a species.
2) How do you react when faced with something you feel totally unqualified to do?
Bystander Effect demonstrates the tendency to shy away from unsettling circumstances.
Thrill-Seekers charge headlong into the fray and trust themselves to respond accordingly.
Fight or Flight: people choose to either stand firm and fight or run away from the situation
According to journalist, Napoleon Hill, who wrote the book “Think and Grow Rich“, which became one of the bestselling books of all time. Hill based his insights on the lives of legendary businessmen of the early 20th century, like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, Hill found 11 traits that all successful leaders share: The number one trait listed was an unwavering courage based on self-confidence.
3) What emotions might Joshua be feeling as he takes command of the Israelites and prepares to cross the
Jordan?
Joshua was called to go in and possess the land which he had previously assessed when he served under Moses.
It is possible that as Joshua realized the task ahead of him, that the enemy may have tried to attack him by
filling him with fear and doubt. Instead of remembering what God had promised, Joshua may have felt
-anxious -doubtful
-scared -excited
PROMISE DEFINED: a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will
happen; assurance that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something, undertake or declare
that something will happen
One of the greatest promises in the bible is Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. We can stand on God’s promise because God does not lie. Some people promise to do something and then don’t follow through with their promise, but God always follows through with His promises.
GOD PROVIDES FOR HIS PEOPLE
4) What promises does the Lord make to Joshua (v. 1-9)?
-God’s promise to give Israel the land of Canaan was a fulfillment of the covenant God made with Abraham
(Gen 15:7-21).
-God promised to give Joshua and the children of Israel every place that the soles of their feet touched (v. 2-4).
-God also promised that He would be with Joshua just as He was with Moses (v. 5, 9).
-God promised to give them good success (v. 8)
5) If you were in Joshua’s place, how would these promises strengthen and encourage you?
It would be very reassuring to know that the God who created the entire universe is with me; to know that the same God who was with my predecessor has also promised to be with me. I would feel that I could accomplish anything.
6) The promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (v. 5) is also quoted in the New Testament (Hebrews
13:5). What difference can these words make in the midst of life’s challenges?
It is reassuring to know that no matter what we may face, we are never alone; God is there to help us through it and to overcome any obstacles we might encounter.
7) What commands does the Lord give to Joshua (v. 6-9)?
–God commands Joshua to be strong and of a good courage -Be not afraid
-Be not dismayed -Meditate on the book of the Law
-Observe to do according to the Law -Divide the land
COURAGE DEFINED: the ability to do something that frightens one.
strength in the face of pain or grief
According to a quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt, “ Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear .”
Just because a person experiences fear does not mean that they have to allow it to control them. It is crucial that Christians press forward, even in the threat of fear, if they want to be victorious. Second Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God is not the author of fear, “but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” Instead of focusing on our fears, we must set our focus on what is more important (the promises of God).
OUR BLESSINGS ARE CONNECTED TO OUR OBEDIENCE
8) What is the relationship between God’s promises and His commands?
When we submit to God’s commands, we know that God is faithful to fulfill what He promised. God’s promise to give the land to the children of Israel is irrevocable and unconditional; however, receiving the promise was based on their obedience to God’s command (being in the right place at the right time). When a package is delivered to a predetermined address, if we are not there (in the right place) we cannot receive the package even though the package has been delivered.
9) How can meditating on Scripture and being careful to do what it says enable us to be prosperous and
successful (Psalms 1:1-13)?
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (II Timothy 3:16). What we meditate on is what we act on and who we ultimately become (Proverbs 23:7). God’s word is powerful. When we meditate on scripture, we allow it to take root in our heart and give us strength to persevere; then it will guide us in how we need to act. Joshua 1:8 says we are to keep God’s word on our lips and to meditate on it day and night. so that we don’t sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). We must ensure that our actions line up with God’s word if we hope to prosper and be successful.
10) The first test of Joshua’s leadership comes when he asks tribes that have already begun settling down to help
the rest of the nation (v. 12-15). How does he persuade the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh to fight for
Israel?
The Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manesseh had already reached the portion of land promised them. However, Joshua reminds them of the promise they made to Moses in exchange for the land they would receive (Numbers 32:1-27).
11) How is God’s presence made evident in the response he receives from the tribes (v. 16-18)?
The tribes agreed to honor the promise they made to Moses as long as God was “with Joshua”. By following
Joshua, they acknowledged that God’s presence was with him. They also agreed that whoever did not agree to follow Joshua would be put to death.
12) How has this passage prepared you to accomplish great things for God?
It is a great reminder of God’s awesome power. If God promised it, He will bring it to pass if we trust Him and
follow His commands. God promised that He would not leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). When God
calls us to accomplish something for Him; He gives us all that we need to complete the task and He is there
walking along side us to help us to accomplish it.
13) What has God promised you that is yet to be claimed?
Jesus said that if we believe on Him the works that He did His followers would do; and greater works (John
14:12). God wants to do so much through us, but it can only be accomplished if we walk in the victory already
promised.
14) When has God been with you to overcome an obstacle? Allow that to be a source of praise for God’s care in
hard times
15) What is keeping you from walking in what God has promised you?
Life’s struggles can knock us down and cause us to want to give up. Just like Peter who as able to walk on water as
long as he kept his eyes on Jesus and started to sink when he began to focus on the water, when we take our focus
off God and begin to focus on our problems instead, we fail to accomplish what He has called us to do or we miss
out on all that God has promised us
The enemy will always try to use fear, doubt, and discouragement to keep God’s people from accomplishing their
goals. As long as Joshua focused on his insecurities fear and doubt set in and he became discouraged. When he
focused on God’s word and remembered what God had promised him, he was able to lead God’s people into the
Promised Land and claim the victory.